Bad Boys of Crystal Lake

I’m so thrilled to be featuring my good pal and FABULOUS contemporary (and paranormal) romance writer Juliana Stone. Juliana specializes in bad boy heroes with a lot of heart, and in smart, funny, very emotional reads. Her books get spectacular reviews and her readers just love her.

In the small town of Crystal Lake, Christmas is a time for sledding, hot chocolate, and cozying up to the fire with those you love. For Jake Edwards, it’s also time to come home and face his past. He thought there would never be anything harder than losing his brother. Turns out there is: falling in love with his brother’s widow, Raine.

Ever since they were little, Jesse was the Edwards brother who was always there for her, and Jake was the one who knew just how to push her buttons. Raine can’t imagine a life without them, which is why it was doubly decimating when Jake left town after his brother’s sudden death. Now he’s back and she doesn’t know whether to be mad or thrilled. Maybe both. Maybe it will be the perfect chance for both of them to finally find happiness again.

Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? If you love sexy and emotional contemporary romances AND holiday romances, this book is definitely for you.

For my readers today, Juliana is giving away a copy of The Christmas He Loved Her, in print or Kindle format. Just tell us what are some of your favorite contemporary romance series for a chance to win.

I’m thrilled to have my pal Juliana Stone on the blog today. Juliana writes in several genres, including critically acclaimed paranormal romance and young adult. But she also writes fantastic contemporary romance that’s sexy, entertaining, and also incredibly emotional. Her new book, The Summer He Came Home, just came out. It garnered a starred review from Publishers Weeklyand was also named one of their top ten picks of Spring 2013.

Let’s have a little chat with Juliana, shall we?

You write both paranormal romance, YA, and contemporary romance. Did you find it difficult to switch between genres? Do you prefer one over the other?

Good question, Vanessa! For me, this is something I don’t have a problem doing and that’s probably because I have a lot of voices and ideas in my head that need to get out! LOL. That being said, not every writer can write in multiple genres; you have to have the voice to make it work, but fortunately for me, I was able to get it done.

As to whether I prefer one genre over another, it’s hard to say. They’re different beasts for sure. I find that paranormal can be a little exhausting. The world building is incredibly intricate, so at the moment I’m finding writing contempt are somewhat soothing to the soul and when I dive back into the paranormal world, I’ll be really excited to do so.

You’ve called your new book, THE SUMMER HE CAME HOME, the book of your heart. Why is that and what can you tell us about the story?

The Summer He Came Home is a book that I’d been dreaming of writing. It features a hero who is a rocker, and I had so many people tell me I’d never sell a romance with that kind of guy, that I was determined to make it work. I love everything about my hero, Cain Black. He’s a combination of my love of Jon Bon Jovi and Nikki Sixx, and because music is such a huge influence in my life, when I found out I’d sold this series I was over the moon!

This book is about family, healing, redemption and the power of love.

You’ve got another contemporary romance coming out in May, and other projects on the burner. How do you manage to be so productive and not go insane?

Oh my God, I am busy but I love it. I think it’s more the question of, how keeping busy keeps me sane. I have so many stories inside me, that I’m grateful to be able to get them out there for my readers. The Barker Tripletshave been a blast to write, and the third book, CONCEAL releases in late May. Along with the YAand my Bad Boys books, those voices and stories in my head are getting some mileage!

Book 2 in the series, THE CHRISTMAS HE LOVED HER, will be out October 1, 2013. It features Jake Edwards, brother to the twin whose funeral in book 1 was the catalyst for all the boys returning home to Crystal Lake. He’s dealing with a lot of demons and boy does he need an HEA! The third book will be released in April 2014!

We’ll be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series! Readers, Juliana is graciously giving away one of her books today – one commenter will win either a digital copy of one of Juliana’s Barker Boys books, or a signed copy of The Christmas He Loved Her when it comes out in October. Just tell us what you love about contemporary romance – or what you don’t love – for a chance to win.